Back Roads to Norris, TN

Thursday, October 26, 2017.  A good day to ride.  Nice temps today, cool morning and warmer in the afternoon. Going to ride with biker friend Paul and Terry today.  Meet up with Paul at the Seymour McDonald's and then meet up with Terry off I-275 and Merchants at the Pilot Station.  No dirt or gravel today.

Met Paul a 9:30 a.m.  That would give Terry time to ride up from Lenoir City, about an hour south of Knoxville.

Heading West out of Seymour heading toward Knoxville.

Just inside Knoxville Paul takes us over a twisty city street.  The guy hates straight lines.

A nice walk bridge over the street.

Shortly we hit James White Parkway and start entering the city center.

But just in time, we divert so that we miss all of the hustle and bustle of downtown.

Soon we are back in the urban part of the area where it is much more scenic and a lot less traffic.

The sky was so blue today that the church in the distance really shines in the mid-morning sunlight.

Lots of twisty roads northeast of Knoxville.

Just another old barn still fulfilling its obligation.

Some of the trees are turning.  Love the Fall of the year here.

And some cute little cottages along the way.  White picket fence and all.  Norris was a fair size community at one time.  TVA bought a big chunk of it, had the buildings removed and built a dam that is used as a reservoir lake to hold water.  Some of the town streets have since become a small historic community.

Then out of civilization and back into the woodlands again.

Peering through the trees you can see the river below the bluff.

The river is pretty wide but at this time of year it is not so deep in places.  You can see the rapids from a rock ledge that spans the river.

Rugged rock walls along this section of highway.

That wee little speck in the center of the picture is a deer that wanted to cross ahead of Paul but changed its mind.  Much to our delight, they are pretty but make you nervous.

Lots of rolling hills and small farms in this area.

I'm sure once a thriving business, many years ago.

Railroad crossing ahead, overhead.

The left side is pretty much taken over by Kudzu making its own little structures.

Mountains of the Plateau off in the far distance.  But we shall turn back before we get to them.

Still waters, nice reflection but no color to reflect.

Country roads and small farm lanes seems to be where the color of the leaves are taking place.

This old barn has been taken over by vines.  Apparently it is no longer in use.

A nice green meadow with some color just starting around its fringes.

Riding through a high dollar neighborhood.












Big houses, lots of grass to cut.

Riding for a better view point.

Water off in the distance is a finger of Norris Lake.

Such a pretty road through here.

And a few slow speed sweeper curves.

Then we get serious again except a pickup pulling a trailer with three rolls of hay and a tractor slows us down to a crawl.

Norris Lake through the tree scape.

Another road another view.

Norris Lake again.

Very pretty here but kind of remote.  It's more than a 20 min. ride to Walmart.

Some pretty farm land.

Time to make a decision.  We'll take the left.

Riding along side of the lake has some pretty nice areas of scenery.

Up to the top we finally arrive.  Here's Paul taking a panoramic shot of the valley below.

The vehicles of the day with Terry in the background inspecting the water tank for the area.

A storybook view

of the valley below.

And pictures of the mountains

 in the area

 would make a beautiful mural.

Old, crazy but well protected.  I'll not tell who's behind that black helmet.  Trying for a better view but must remember to watch for the cow patties.

Book ends, Paul on the left, Terry on the right.

Looking at the valley below our mountain top vantage point.

Heading back toward the house.

The view from a different angle.

Wide open spaces and

relics.

Missile silos in the countryside.  More government spying going on. Ha.

Terry split for home a different way while Paul and I took the Helms Ferry across one of the fingers of Norris Lake.

Looking at the eastern landing.  Unique ferry.

Heading back to the house through the rolling hillside with a warm sun starting to drop a bit in the sky.

A great day to ride with great friends.  As the shadows start to get longer we get nearer the homesteads from which we departed this morning.

An all day affair with only 163 miles ridden but what a day.  Good laughs and mostly of each other.

So until the next Valkyrie Adventure, I hope that you will take stock of what you have and feel blessed to have it.  Until later, enjoy life.